Table.



No. 779,050. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905. W. F. MARVIN.

TABLE. V APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 15, 1904.

UNiTEn STATES Patented J anuary' 3, 1905 PATENT EEicE.

TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 779,050, dated January 3, 1905.

Application filed March 15,1904- Serial No. 198,260.

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. MARVIN, of Baldwinsville, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tables, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in tables and refers more particularly to that class in which the top is revolubly mounted upon a suitable base for supporting books, such as hotel and similar registers, directories, and other reference-books which are frequently referred to.

The object of my present invention is to bring the table and base into close relation with each other, so that the whole device is portable and may be placed upon the desk or counter of a hotel or store to support a register or other book in such position that it may be conveniently referred to from any side by simply revolving the table-top on which the book is supported.

A more'specific object is to provide the base with an inverted conical cup with a similarlyshaped lining, in which is revolubly seated a second inverted conical cup for receiving and supporting the table-top, with its upper face disposed at an angle other than a right angle with the axis of the cones, so that the book will always assume an inclined position as the table-top is revolved.

Another specific object is to provide the central cone of the base with three radiating arms or feet to rest upon the desk or counter, and thus insure a solid footing for the table, and a still further purpose is to provide an automatic take-up device which is wholly concealed within the inner cone to prevent independent vertical rocking movement of the top relative to the base.

Other objects and uses will appear in the following description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the top of my improved table. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the center of the base and adjacent portion of the top, showingthe construction and manner of assembling the conical cups. Figs. 3

and 4 are sectional views taken, respectively, on lines 3 3 and 4c 4, Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views, respectively, of the'detached base and top supporting sections.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

The supporting-base consists of a truncated inverted conical cup 1, which is formed of metal, as cast-iron, and is provided with a series of (in this instance three) arms or feet 2, cast integral therewith and projecting radially therefrom and spaced equidistant from each other, so asto rest on the desk or counter at three points only, and thus afford a solid footing on any supporting-surface, whether perfectly smooth or uneven. The lower faces of the outer ends of these arms are disposed in a plane slightly below the lower truncated end of the cone 1, so as to keep the base as low down as possible, and are formed with sockets 3, in which are inserted yielding (as rubber) buffers or pads 4, resting upon the desk or counter to prevent noise or marring of the support upon which the base may be moved. The conical cup 1 is disposed with its axis perpendicular to the plane of the lower faces of the buffers 4 and is formed with a central inverted-cone socket 5, in which is closely fitted a removable conical sleeve 6, of fiber or similar wearing-surface, which is adapted to absorb and retain a lubricant. The lower truncated end of the cup 1 is closed with the exception of a small central aperture 7 and serves as additional support for the sleeve 6 to pre vent its being distorted by undue endwise movement.

The table-top preferably consists of a flat rectangular body 10, of wood, provided with a substantially central recess 11 in its lower face for receiving the upper end or base of a truncated conical metal cup 12, which is inserted in the cup 1 and fits closely, but with a turning fit, in the fiber sleeve 6. The base of this cup 12 flares outwardly and downwardly and fits snuglyinto the corresponding recess 11, so as to afford a broad and solid bearing for the top 10, and I usually extend portions of the base to form additional supporting-arms 1.4:, which are secured to the top 10 by screws 15. This top cone 12 is disposed IOO with its axis at an angle other than a right angle with the plane of its base and top with a leaning toward the front edge 16 of the table-top, whereby the latter is operatively supported in an inclined position gradually rising from its front edge rearwardly, and it therefore follows that the plane of the front portion of the top 10 is disposed at an acute angle with its axis of revolution as best seen in Fig. 2. By nesting the cone-cup 12 into the cup 1 a strong bearing is secured, and the mere weight of the table-top operates auto- .matically to take up any wear between the cups and insures a perfect fit to prevent any oscillating motion other than upon its axis of rotation. The lower truncated end of the inner cup 12 is also closed with the exception of a small aperture 18, and through these apertures 7 and 18 is inserted a stud or bolt 19, which projects into the inner cup 12, its lower end being attached to the bottom of the cone 1 by a cotter-key 20, and its upper end is provided with a shoulder 21. A coil-spring 22 encircles the bolt 19, and its oppositeends abut, respectively, against the bottom of thecup 12 and the shoulder 21, and therefore operates to draw the cup 12 into frictional engagement with the sleeve 6 to further take up any wear and to maintain a close turning fit between the cups.

A guard-plate 23 is secured to the top face of the low or front side of the top 10 and not only serves to retain the register or other book in place, but is also used to receive and retain advertising matter, and for this purpose is supported slightly above the upper surface of the top 10 to receive advertising matter which is exposed through openings 25 in the top of the plate, the front edge of said plate being extended. over and upon the front edge of the top 10 at 9 and is secured thereto by suitable fastening means, as screws 26, while the rear edge of said plate is turned downwardly at 27 against the top 10 to hold the advertising matter (as cards) in place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a table of the class described, the combination of 'two conical cups, one cup being nested in the other cup and rotatable therein and the other cup having suitable supportingfeet, yielding means in the inner cup connected to force it down in the outer cup anda top secured to the rotary cup.

2. In a table of the class described, the combination of a base and a revoluble top each having an inverted conical cup fitting one within the other, and a spring within the inner cup operatively connected to draw the cups together.

3. In a table of the class described, the combination of a base having an inverted conical socket, an inverted cone fitted in the socket, and having supporting-arms in a plane beneath its upper end and at an angle other than a right angle to its axis, and a top resting on said arms and having a recess receiving the upwardly-projecting part of the cone.

4. Ina table of the class described, the combination with a base having an inverted conical socket, an inverted cone rotatingly seated in the socket and having top-supporting arms in a plane below its upper end and at an angle other than a right angle to its axis, a top resting on the arms and recessed to receive said upper end of the cone, and a spring in the cone connected to draw it into the socket.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of February, 1904.

WILLIAM F. MARVIN. 

